Party Groups and Policy Positions in the European Parliament

Party Positions in the EP -- p26

Appendix A: Dimension Text Wording

Economic (Spending v. Taxes)

(At the national level) Prefers raising taxes to increase public services (1)

(At the national level) Prefers cutting public services to cut taxes (20)

Deregulation

Favours high levels of regulation and control of the markets, such as telecommunications (1)

Favours deregulation at every opportunity (20)

Social

Favours liberal policies on matters such as homosexual law, abortion, and euthanasia (1)

Opposes liberal policies on matters such as homosexual law, abortion, and euthanasia (20)

Environment

Supports protection of the environment, even at the cost of economic growth (1)

Supports economic growth, even at the cost of damage to the environment (20)

EU Authority

Favours increasing the range of areas in which the EU can set policy (1)

Favours reducing the range of areas in which the EU can set policy (20)

Immigration

Favours policies designed to help asylum seekers and immigrants integrate into European
society. (1)

Favours policies designed to restrict access of asylum seekers and immigrants to Europe (20)

EU Federalism

Promotes a federal vision for the EU (1)

Promotes a Europe of nation-states (Europe des Patries) (20)

EU Collective Security

Favours a common defence and security policy for member states (1)

Opposes development of common defence and security policy (20)

Left-Right

Please locate each political group on a general left-right dimension, taking all aspects of
group policy into account. Left (1). Right (20).